Federal assistance requested for storm expenses

More Links

Efforts are continuing to get the federal government to reimburse people for expenses from the recent ice storm.

State officials are urging Oklahomans to continue reporting any un-insured damage to their homes, businesses and vehicles so the state can make the best case possible for individual assistance.

Officials say even if individual assistance is approved, certain expenses, like the cost of buying a generator, may not be covered.

"We intend to request that assistance, certainly, but we don't know at this point, we don't want to present an expectation to the public that in some way there's a guarantee that their expense for a generator will be reimbursed," said Michelann Ooten from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Those damages to your home or property that are not re-imbursed by your insurance company or fema may be tax deductible.

"You can deduct losses that are not reimbursed, but first reduce the total amount by $100 then by 10% of adjusted gross income. Whatever is left over is a casualty loss deduction," said IRS spokesperson David Stell.

Stell sys generators aren't considered a loss, but rather a capital improvement to your home.

You can pick up free information on casualty losses by visiting www.IRS.gov, or by calling 1-800 TAX-FORM.